Meet our childcare professionals and support staff
Louise Gourmelen
Lead Early Years Practitioner
I joined the team in September 2018, and currently work 5 days a week at Holy Corner. I bring diverse professional experience and education to my role, and hold an HNC in Childhood Practice. My practice is child-led, playful and kind, always respecting the rights of the child. As well as the experience of being a parent, I also bring my special interests to the group including expressive arts and visual literacy. Holy Corner is an uplifting and positive community environment in which to work and learn, and I am grateful to be part of such a knowledgeable, caring and passionate team.
Fahmida Yasmin
Early Years Practitioner
I joined the team in November 2019, and I work 5 days a week. I have an HNC in childcare, and I have experience working with children of different ages in a variety of settings, as well as being a mum of 3 myself! I have always loved working with children, and I believe Holy Corner Playgroup provides a very nurturing environment. I really enjoy doing arts and crafts with the children, and I love reading them stories. I can also speak Urdu, Hindi and Punjabi.
Carol Malkin
Early Years Practitioner
I joined the team at Holy Corner after completing my SVQ in Social Services (Children and Young People). I work 5 mornings. After a successful 17 years working as a Cabin Crew for Virgin Atlantic I was inspired to retrain in Early Years after watching my son thrive in a child led and nurturing environment at Playgroup, and have now been working with young children for several years in community settings.
Spending most of my childhood outside has fostered a lifelong love of the outdoors, and all things muddy. I spent many summers working in children’s outdoor adventure camps and was a Girl Guide Young Leader and now a Rainbow Leader in training. I enjoy facilitating play in the natural environment and embracing the seasons. I love to cook and bake and believe it’s never too early to involve the children in the preparation of healthy snacks.
Shiefra Headey
Business Manager
I have been with Holy Corner Community Playgroup since August 2016 and work part-time for them and another nursery. My role includes supporting the playgroup with banking, payroll, committee relations plus liaising with Edinburgh Council, the Care Inspectorate and other regulatory bodies and stakeholders.
As a mum of two, I remember how important it was to find the right childcare setting for my own children. I love the community aspect of Holy Corner playgroup. The strong relationship between the staff, parents and children make it a happy, fun and rewarding working environment.
We have new staff joining us soon
Check back here for more information